We arrive to a chilling morning but the sun is out and temperature is to get to 55 degrees. We spent two days here exploring this stunning city and nearby country side. George Bernard Shaw famously called this region “Paradise on Earth”. I have to agree it is beautiful. The rugged coastline stunning, the Adriatic Sea is so clear unlike I have seen anywhere in my travels. Some of the clarity can be attributed to the fact that the beaches are not sand but smoothly rounded pebbles, that sing a song as the waves moves them to and fro. The countryside is full of olive and the tall Cyprus trees, vineyards, and other agricultural enterprises.
Dubrovnik ( populations of about 45,000) lies on the southern end of Croatia along the Adriatic sea and best known for its “Old Town”. A massive stone wall completed in the 16th century surrounds Old Town with its well preserved buildings, with varying architectural styles ( baroque, renaissance and gothic ) and limestone paved roads. Though main street is mostly marbled pavement. What makes this Old Town uniquely different is that it is a living, functional city and entirely pedestrian. People live, work, eat, play, shop in the city and many never leave the city-walls. Of course it has become a major tourist attraction and probably would not be as enjoyable and charming once the tourist season starts which is not until mid-April.
A lot could be written about Dubrovnik and Croatia, it has a fascinating history, and for you “old-timers” Croatia was once a part of Yugoslavia. However, if you want to know more you’ll just have to Googles it.
Our first day was spent exploring the “Old Town” and the second day we visited a few quaint towns of the Dubrovnik’s Riviera. We had two enjoyable days, the Croatian people we met were delightful and very proud of their country and history. Croatian is their official language, Kuna is their currency, though they will be converting to the Euro shortly as they are part of the EU.
I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.
Dubrovnik and the Old Town walled city. Approximately 1,600 people live within the walled city.
View from our Balcony, once again we were docked in a non-industrial port and hence had a lovely view of the city.
Entrance to the Walled city “OLD TOWN”
We enter through the thick walls with its huge wooden gate and draw-bridge.
The Old Town map. As you can see it is laid out in a grid with most side roads always ending at either the wall or Main Street.
The ambitious can walk the rock stairs to the top of the wall for a spectacular view. I’ll have to take their word for it as we did not climb up, but we did see people up at the very top.
Passage way, tunnels in Old Town
One of the many side streets from Main Street in Old Town. These passageways are lined with shops and restaurants, along with entry ways into homes.
Main Street of Old Town
Games of Thrones Shop. The movie Games of Thrones was filmed here along with other medieval towns.
Of course they are proud to announce that, though todays guide admitting if the movie had not been filmed here she would never have heard of it. Okay, I have heard of it, but have never seen it. People make such a to-do about it I feel like have a major culture gap in my life, and feel obligated to view it, but I am in no hurry to do so.
The Old harbor as you exit through one of the WALL’S openings.
A Dominican Monastery in Old Town, founded in 1225, features a Gothic style church. and a lovely courtyard. Now a museum with art and artifacts.
There is also a Franciscan Monastery that we did not visit, but it houses the 3rd oldest pharmacy in the world and was founded in 1317.
The lovely architecture of the Dominican Monastery
Placard for the Museum highlights.
Driving out into the countryside or hinterland as they like to call it.
Typical countryside view
We arrive at the charming village of Cavtat, once a Greek settlement, became a Roman colony in 228 BC. It is known for its beaches.
Look at the incredibly clear waters.
Beautiful walkway around one of the two Peninsula that surrounds Zupa Bay at the village of Cavtat.
On one side of our lovely peninsula walk was the Adriatic Sea and the other lovely terraced vineyards.
We encountered these sweet cats that were grooming each other but perked their heads up as a couple with a large black dog was walking towards them. They immediately got up and arched their backs to express their dislike for the intrusion.
Back on the road we see the hinterland, agricultural fields still dormant awaiting spring.
This farmer just finished plowing up his field, wow what fertile looking soil.
Acres and acres of vineyards.
Two ladies that greeted us at Ljuta‘s historic mills. We were offered locally made and grown treats such as sugar coated orange rinds, figs, roasted sugar coated almonds and a variety of liquors. All delicious though I opted for local apple juice. After our tour of the mill we were treated to a delicious locally made prosciutto and cheese on homemade bread along with a glass of wine. Just about every meal is served with wine.
One of two historic mill houses
The owner of the property demonstrates this grain milling mill.
A two minute walk through the property brings us to another type of mill.
This mill was used not for grain, but for textile purposes.
Rather than a round milling stone this is a huge wooden hammer that pounds against another piece of wood to pound fibers together to strengthen the material.
One our way back to Dubrovnik we traverse these narrow roads along sheer cliffs.
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